Cheers POM
hydrometer readings.
hydrometer readings.
Just a quick question. Am I right in the understanding it is not the done thing to put beer back in the fermentor after you have used it to take a SG reading to find out if it is ready to bottle. Should I just be pouring a pint glass full and taking the reading out of that or should i buy a measursing flask or somthing small and thin so I am not wasting heaps of good drinking beer. If i have to take three or four SG reading i'll end up wasting heaps of beer.
Cheers POM
Cheers POM
Last edited by Pom on Monday Aug 25, 2008 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Personally speaking, the hydrometer that I got with the Coopers kit I purchased came with a clear plastic tube with plastic caps for the ends...
I have been using that for now, need to invest in a measuring flask....
I have been using that for now, need to invest in a measuring flask....
Re: hydromemter readings.
yeah, this hydrometer came in a thin plastic tube but its only just round enough to fit the hydrometer into. I don't think if i put beer in there I would be able to push enough air out to get it in.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Pom,
The tube your hydrometer came in is perfect for taking readings. Just take a sample big enough to allow your hydrometer to float, but without spilling over. Spin the hydrometer to dislodge any CO² clinging to the sides, and then take your reading. It may even be better to wait 10 minutes or so to allow any CO² to disperse, spin the hydrometer, and then take your reading.
And, NO, do not add the sample back to your fermenter, instead TASTE it, so you get an idea of how good you are at brewing!
The tube your hydrometer came in is perfect for taking readings. Just take a sample big enough to allow your hydrometer to float, but without spilling over. Spin the hydrometer to dislodge any CO² clinging to the sides, and then take your reading. It may even be better to wait 10 minutes or so to allow any CO² to disperse, spin the hydrometer, and then take your reading.
And, NO, do not add the sample back to your fermenter, instead TASTE it, so you get an idea of how good you are at brewing!
Re: hydromemter readings.
thanks alot. I will go forth and sample.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Have taken SG reading yeasterday and today both showed 1011, which are not yet in the area of the hydrometer that says its ready to bottle. My brew is 18C give or take. If this reading is the same tomorrow should I bottle? Or should I wait till it drops to 1008? The brew has been down 8 days.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Forget the bit on the hydrometer which tells you when its ready for bottling, your final gravity depends on a range of things including amount of fermentables, non fermentables and the yeast you use. What you're looking for are consecutive readings which are the same, as long as they're not too high which would indicate a stalled fermentation.
Even once you have consecutive readings which are the same it does not hurt to leave the brew for longer (as long as your sanitation is up to scratch), in fact it will help it clear. Up here in Queensland with no temperature control I leave ales for at least 2 weeks and lagers for at least 3 before bottling.
Even once you have consecutive readings which are the same it does not hurt to leave the brew for longer (as long as your sanitation is up to scratch), in fact it will help it clear. Up here in Queensland with no temperature control I leave ales for at least 2 weeks and lagers for at least 3 before bottling.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Definately as earle said- do not trust the hydro's opinion on when to bottle!
And I'd rack your beer
And I'd rack your beer
A beer in the hand is worth two in George Bush...
"They say beer will make me dumb. It are go good with pizza"
Psychostick
"They say beer will make me dumb. It are go good with pizza"
Psychostick
Re: hydromemter readings.
Whatever the arguments about the merits of racking, let's not confuse a new brewer about racking. All that can come later if Pom so chooses.
I think if Pom leaves his beer for 2 weeks in the fermenter, and if it's down to 1011 now, he should be right to bottle at the end of it.
I think if Pom leaves his beer for 2 weeks in the fermenter, and if it's down to 1011 now, he should be right to bottle at the end of it.
Re: hydromemter readings.
ok, no-one on the forum mention racking until warra feels Pom is ready 
A beer in the hand is worth two in George Bush...
"They say beer will make me dumb. It are go good with pizza"
Psychostick
"They say beer will make me dumb. It are go good with pizza"
Psychostick
Re: hydrometer readings.
Thanks guys for being so thoughtful.I will leave the racking for a while. I shall follow your adive and leave it for two weeks before bottling. ( should i continue to take SG readings every day?)I cannot thank all the guys on the forum enough for all your help it is great to be able to ask questions and get such positive feed back. Thanks.
Last edited by Pom on Monday Aug 25, 2008 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Only take readings every day if you want to. A couple of days here or there won't make a difference.
The only thing you need to think about is two identical hydro readings.
The only thing you need to think about is two identical hydro readings.
A beer in the hand is worth two in George Bush...
"They say beer will make me dumb. It are go good with pizza"
Psychostick
"They say beer will make me dumb. It are go good with pizza"
Psychostick
Re: hydromemter readings.
You don't need to check it every day. If I'm planning to bottle a brew after 2 weeks but am unsure whether it is fully fermented I'll take a reading after about 12 days and then another on the 14th day (when I'm hoping to bottle). If they're the same bottle, otherwise leave.should i continue to take SG readings every day?
Re: hydromemter readings.
The thyme seems to be the same all round. Wait till the reading are concecutive and things should be right. Tomorrow will be 12 days the brew has been down. I will take a reading then and one on thursday. Hopefully it will be ready to bottle. Im already thinking of getting another fermenter so I can get a few more brews going and get a bit of a cellar of beer. Also then when warra and I think im ready I can have a go at racking, under the watchful eye of chris. Thanks again everyone.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Pom, you do it when YOU think you want to do it. It's your beer, not mine. Obviously, you already have Chris' permission!Pom wrote:The thyme seems to be the same all round. Wait till the reading are concecutive and things should be right. Tomorrow will be 12 days the brew has been down. I will take a reading then and one on thursday. Hopefully it will be ready to bottle. Im already thinking of getting another fermenter so I can get a few more brews going and get a bit of a cellar of beer. Also then when warra and I think im ready I can have a go at racking, under the watchful eye of chris. Thanks again everyone.
All I wanted to do is not to complicate things if you want it simple and easy.
Re: hydromemter readings.
Thats cool warra thanks for your help.
Re: hydrometer readings.
Just another quick question about hydrometer readings.
The meter I have is just a basic hydrometer, do I have to do some sort of recalculation to my reading depending on the temperature of the sample. For example I took my OG at 20c but the readings I have taken since of a lager I am brewing are at around 12c. When I take my final SG it will be around 12c as well, do I have to calabrate the reading for a diffeerent temp and if so how.
The meter I have is just a basic hydrometer, do I have to do some sort of recalculation to my reading depending on the temperature of the sample. For example I took my OG at 20c but the readings I have taken since of a lager I am brewing are at around 12c. When I take my final SG it will be around 12c as well, do I have to calabrate the reading for a diffeerent temp and if so how.
Re: hydrometer readings.
You do need to adjust for temperature on your hydrometer readings.Pom wrote:Just another quick question about hydrometer readings.
The meter I have is just a basic hydrometer, do I have to do some sort of recalculation to my reading depending on the temperature of the sample. For example I took my OG at 20c but the readings I have taken since of a lager I am brewing are at around 12c. When I take my final SG it will be around 12c as well, do I have to calabrate the reading for a diffeerent temp and if so how.
If you use a brewing program like BeerSmith it has, as one of its tools, a hydrometer adjustment calculator.
Or you can do it manually. Link here with table.
http://www.howtobrew.com/appendices/appendixA.html
Last edited by warra48 on Friday Sep 05, 2008 9:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.